These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items.
YMMV: Eternal Darkness
Alternate Character Interpretation: Mantorok. Magnificent Bastard who created a millennia-spanning Xanatos Roulette and exploited an Enemy Mine situation with humanity in order to eliminate the only possible checks on his power? Ultimately benign entity who is willing to coexist peacefully with humanity? Some combination of the two? A third option is he's merely taking Revenge those who have effectively given him a painful death lasting thousands of years.
Complete Monster: Pious. When he was mortal it's likely he was summoned by the ancients due to sensing his suitability for the role.
Crowning Music of Awesome: The soundtrack is notable for being very ambient and yet very memorable - especially when your character begins to lose sanity. The two bosses of the game also have awesome themes.
Mantorok. That doesn't stop the game from being fun, though- it doesn't deal any more damage than the appropriate next step in the Elemental Rock-Paper-Scissors, and its only side-effect is a mild health degeneration. Its buffs target everything, but are appropriately slowed down- usually, if you want health, you want Chattur'gha. It does, however, turn the "reveal" spell inside out, making most combat an absolute walkover and letting you mess with your enemies while they can't see or attack you.
It is possible to discover Magick Pool as early as Lindsey's chapter, although you don't get the scroll until Edward's. A Ulyaoth pool will render most Squishy Wizard characters nigh-invincible; a Mantorok one will render anyone invincible if they can afford the high magick cost.
If you so choose, you can walk around in circles to build up your magick, which you can use to heal and restore sanity.
Follow the Leader: When showcasing the game as a classic favourite of his, Spoony actually expressed surprise it's novel combat system wasn't copied in future titles.
Growing the Beard: Odds are very good that this is the game for which Silicon Knights receives the most recognition, and it typically rates as their highest quality work, with Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes following.
Magnificent Bastard: If it's both evil and sentient, it probably qualifies. Mantorok deserves special mention.
Anthony, who fought against all odds, was cursed, knew he was likely a dead man, and ultimately failed. The fact he spent 600 years suffering before Paul released him from his torment doesn't make it better for him.
Paul Luther, who spends the duration of his story completely out of his depth and terrified out of his wits. Ultimately, his fate at the hands of the Guardian and the look on his face can't help but make you feel for the man.
Karim ends up falling for a woman who sends him on an impossible quest to gain her affection. When he actually manages to reach his goal he discovers she's slept with the first rich charmer who came along, and is now dead because of it. Despite this, he still loves her and agrees to stay and guard the artifact sacrificing his own life. When Robert finally releases Karim from his duty it's clear the only thing he believes was gained from his sacrifice was aiding humanity.
Really, most of the characters, due to the fact that most of them are thrown into an age-old power struggle, with no preparation and an incredibly high chance of death or worse.
